Curriculum Vitae
Elizabeth Kiff / 1
Name
Elizabeth Kiff
Specialisms
Rural livelihoods development. Community–based natural resource
management. Project and programme design, management, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation.
Nationality
British
Contact details
Tel: 00 44 (0)1737 843579 Mobile: 00 44 (0)7773 205896
e-mail liz@kiff.orangehome.co.uk and lizkiff@yahoo.com (travelling). www.theNRGroup.net
____________________________________________________________________________
PRINCIPAL EXPERTISE

Over 20 years of progressively responsible experience of rural development, working towards
sustainable development goals in Asia and Africa

Policy and strategy development

Programme and project management

Monitoring and evaluation

Community development and support to civil society

Technical back-stopping and institutional development

Development of extension and small business support systems

Farmer supply chain analysis and development

Participatory technology development

Agricultural research and development

Community forestry management and non-timber forest products

Facilitation, teaching and training

Proposal development, documentation and dissemination
__________________________________________________________________________
QUALIFICATIONS
1978 - 1982
University of Reading. BSc (Hons) Agricultural Botany, UK.
1988 - 1989
University of East Anglia (School of Development Studies) MSc in Agricultural
Research and Development, UK.
2005 – 2011 Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental strategy, Surrey University, UK.
FURTHER TRAINING
2009
Positive Action Leadership Training, National Police Improvement Agency, UK.
2008
Certificate in Coaching, Coaching Academy, UK.
2000
Medicinal Plants, Purdue University, USA
1999
Advanced Excel, Parity training, Holburn, London, UK.
1996
Management of Research and Development, Brunel Management Programme, UK.
1995
Environmental assessment & management, University of London, Wye College, UK.
1992
General Management for Specialists, Cranfield School of Management, UK.
1991
Multivariate analysis statistical training, Rothamsted Experimental Station, UK.
1988
Advanced Animal Husbandry. National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, UK.
1987
Introductory course Supervisory Management, Merton Technical College, UK.
1983
Agroforestry systems and improved integrated farming systems for upland areas,
Bansilan Rural Life Centre, Philippines.
___________________________________________________________________________
LANGUAGES
Speaking
Reading
Writing
English (mother tongue)
French
Basic
Basic
Basic
Cebuano
Fair
Basic
Basic
Nepali
Basic
Elizabeth Kiff / 2
OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE
2012
2012
2011
2011
2011
2011
2010
2010
2009
2009
2009
2008
2008
2008
2007
2007
2007
2007
2006
2006
India, Final evaluation of the Sustainable Community Based Approaches to Livelihood
Enhancement (SCALE) project co-financed by the Aga Khan Foundation and the EU,
2002-2012. Leading analysis of natural resource management, livelihoods enhancement
and environmental impact.
Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Zambia, Team Leader for the terminal evaluation
for UNEP/ GEF of the project Removing Barriers to Invasive Plant Management in
Africa. Theory of change approach for impact evaluation.
Afghanistan, Contextual Analysis to inform programming and country strategy for
Concern Worldwide.
Botswana, Team leader for final evaluation of the Environmental Support Programme,
UNDP, Botswana. Impact evaluation to inform the development of, and activities with
in, the new UN Country Programme.
Myanmar, Independent assessment mission for the UNDP Human Development
Initiative. Impact evaluation of the integrated community development, primary health,
education and water/ sanitation initiatives. Programme includes microfinance and
HIV/AIDS prevention and care components.
Bhutan, Ex-post evaluation for Medicinal Plants Project, phase II. Impact evaluation of
the performance and impact of the project, together with assessment of the sustainability
of achievements and identification of opportunities for further support to the sector.
Indonesia, Project design mission for IFAD, Smallholder Livelihoods Development
Project in Maluku and North Maluku. Responsible for structuring of community
empowerment and prioritisation of marketing aspects within agricultural component.
Nepal, Country Programme Evaluation for World Food Programme. Analysis of impact
of support on community infrastructure development, refugees and populations affected
by flood.
Afghanistan, External evaluation of the integrated Development, Environment and
Sustainability Programme, Takhar Province, joint Concern-EU project., 2006-2009.
DFID-AsDB, Desk review of the Poverty Reduction Technical Assistance Fund (PRTF)
and compilation of the programme completion report.
Sudan, Country Programme Evaluation Workshop, discussion of findings and feeding
into the Country Strategy Development process. Chief technical advisor.
Nepal, Strategy development for new phase of Livelihoods and Forestry Project, funded
by DfID, Nepal
DPR Korea, Upland Food Security Project interim evaluation for IFAD, responsible for
agricultural and environmental protection components
Sudan, Country programme review mission for IFAD. Responsible for evaluation of
agricultural components and the analysis of relationship to agricultural sector,
nationally.
Pakistan, Country programme review mission for IFAD. Responsible for the evaluation
of agricultural components and analysis of relationship to agricultural sector, nationally.
Vietnam, Team leader for development of suitable farming systems for phase III of
Quang Tri Rural Development Programme, two inputs over 7 weeks.
Nepal, Country programme evaluation mission for DfID. Responsible for the evaluation
of the livelihoods component, including agriculture, forestry, food security, rural
development, roads and micro-enterprise development activities.
Ghana, Design of Northern Region Growth Project as Farming Systems member of
FAO team, acting for IFAD.
India, Project assessment and pre-design mission for phase II of Madhya Pradesh Rural
Livelihoods project, DFID. Prospects for non-timber forest products, sustainable
production, processing and marketing.
Indonesia, Project design mission for Rural Empowerment and Agricultural
Development in Central Sulawesi, IFAD. Responsible for design of Sustainable
Agriculture and Enterprise Development Components.
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2006
2005
2002-2005
2001-2003
1997-2000
1997-2001
1997-2000
1996
1996
1995
1991 - 1993
1990 - 1991
1982 - 1986
Tajikistan, Mid-term evaluation of two joint EU/ Oxfam/ Novib livelihood projects in
Khatlon Region. Evaluation of capacity building, advocacy and partnership development
alongside support for income generation, development of village funds and food security
initiatives.
Ghana, Extension and Marketing specialist for end of project evaluations: Upper West
Agricultural Development Project and Upper East Land Conservation and Smallholder
Rehabilitation Project. Capacity and effectiveness of WUAs, animal upgrading schemes
and support for privatised certified seed production and supply, IFAD.
India, Promoting livelihood initiatives for the poorest. Introduction of new crops,
cultivation of medicinal plants, traditional variety production, support for processing and
marketing. Farming systems strategy development for Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods
Project, DfID.
India, Support and strengthening of people’s organisations and development of rural
livelihood systems. Introduction of new varieties and new crops, land development and
small scale processing. Documentation of project findings. Member of core team for
Karnataka Watershed Development Project (KAWAD), DfID.
India, Documentation and dissemination strategy development, research documentation,
project overview documentation and on-going support to staff at all levels in
documentation for BAIF Development Research Foundation (EU funded project).
India, Participative crop testing and selection, cost benefit and risk analysis for
cultivation of newly introduced crops. Also addressing improved nutrient management
and integrating joint forest management with in the farming systems for the Western
India Rainfed Farming Systems Project (DfID funded project).
Ghana. Won funding, developed research project and led team for integrated vegetable
production and processing within dry-season farming systems.
Nepal. Won funding, developed research project and led team for a joint government
and NGO participative research project identifying improved strategies for fodder
production and management in the mid-hills region.
Technical inputs into a study on the impact of community forestry initiatives in Nepal.
Bhutan. Mid-term review of the Cultivation of Medicinal Plants Project, EU.
Nepal. Development of an agroforestry research strategy for the Forest Research and
Survey Centre. Supervision of APO’s research project.
Zimbabwe. Farming Systems input into Soil and Water Conservation project.
Nepal. Interdisciplinary Research Officer ODA Forestry Research Project
Nepal. Extension Researcher, Lumle Agricultural Centre
Philippines.
Co-operative development and management (agricultural product
marketing). Community-based Development Agency.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2001 to date
Independent Management Consultant (see above)
Sustainable natural resource planning, management and evaluation, within a rural
livelihoods framework.
1997 to 2001
Principal Scientist with the Natural Resources Institute (internal promotion).
1996/2000 Led multicultural teams in the development and implementation of two
research projects funded by the Department for International Development (DFID):
Improvement of on- and off-farm fodder management and production strategies in the
hills of Nepal. Located in the mid-hills of Nepal, this project looked at ways to address
fodder deficits within the context of intensifying farming systems and reduced off-farm
fodder resources. The project had a strong institutional strengthening component,
working with two collaborators, a national NGO (Nepal Agroforestry Foundation) who
supports the development of local, village-based CBOs and the Government Department
for Forest Research and Survey.
Integrated Food Crop Systems Project, soil and water component, located in the Brong
Ahafo Region, Ghana, looked at ways to introduce sedentary farming practices into a
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Elizabeth Kiff / 4
traditionally slash and burn system. The project worked closely with the extension
service and farmers to conduct on-farm trials, trainings and cross-visits between farmers’
groups. Extension leaflets summarised practical findings and an accompanying
extension manual now provides the basis for further dissemination by the MoA in other
Regions.
Consultancies in Bhutan, Zimbabwe and Nepal (details above).
1995-1997
Senior scientist with the Natural Resources Institute (internal promotion). Research
programme strategy development for Natural Resources Systems Programme.
Responsibilities included organisation of programme development workshops both in
UK and target countries, literature reviews, research commissioning, annual reports and
monitoring missions.
1993-1995
Higher scientific officer with the Natural Resources Institute.
Deputy manager of the £1.2 million Agronomy and Cropping Systems Research
Programme. Responsibilities included research commissioning, quarterly reports and
budget management. Also undertook post-graduate course development, teaching and
VSO training. Published cover crop review and database (see publications).
1991 - 1993
Secondment ODA Agroforestry Research Officer with Government Forestry
Research Division Nepal.
Institutional strengthening of the National Forestry Research Organisation. Planning
and organisation of cross-disciplinary research programme.
Design and implementation of interdisciplinary research trials, including on-farm
collaborative trials with NGO’s. Promoted and facilitated government-NGO
collaboration.
1990 - 1991
ODA Extension Researcher Lumle Agricultural Centre, Nepal.
Contributed to devising the work programme for the new Extension Research Section.
Research included survey to evaluate Lumle’s present extension activities and
experimentation with different extension methods. Research had both a farming system
and household approach. Experience with rapid rural appraisal (RRA) techniques, and
community group work through forest users’ committees. Organisation of national
workshop on Extension Methodology.
1986 - 1988
Horticultural Manager, Deen City Farm.
Involved in all aspects of farm management, including the organisation and facilitation
of school visits, animal husbandry and development of the farms’ allotments and
gardens. Set up organic gardens, including the construction of green houses and
polythene tunnels, establishment of cane fruit area and production of herbs and
vegetables for sale. Liaised with a local school on a new GCSE horticultural course and
ran practical classes for the thirteen and fourteen year old students. Encouraged local
families to become involved in growing their own vegetables and initiated an allotment
society. Responsibilities included interview and selection of staff, grant applications,
progress reports and accounts.
1982 - 1986
British Voluntary Service Overseas
Staff member of the PaCOBDA, community based development agency, in Bukidnon,
Mindanao, the Philippines. Introduction of co-operative marketing of maize and supply
of dry goods led to reduced dependence on outside money lenders. Improved farming
techniques (seed selection and organic techniques) and use of revolving loan credit
systems helped increase farm productivity. Practical demonstrations of methods for soil
erosion control led to the development of a separate programme of contour hedgerow
planting for soil conservation, fodder production and green manuring.
SKILLS
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Computer literacy:
Micro Soft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point);
Genstat; Dbase; Harvard Graphics; Minitab; SPSS.
Driving licence, Motorcycle licence and RAC training
ORGANISATION AFFILIATION
Member of Tropical Agricultural Association
Member of the Development Studies Association
Member of Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment
Member of theNRgroup www.theNRGroup.net
REFERENCES:
Available on receipt of confirmation of position
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
Project design report (2011) for the Smallholder Livelihoods Development Project in Malaku and North Malaku
(SOLID)
http://operations.ifad.org/ar/web/ifad/operations/country/project/tags/indonesia/1509/documents
Independent Assessment of the UNDP Human Development Initiative in Myanmar, 2010. Natural Resource
Management and Environmental components.
http://erc.undp.org/evaluationadmin/manageevaluation/viewevaluationdetail.html?evalid=5268
Evaluation of WFP country programme 2002-2009, Nepal, 2010.
http://home.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/reports/wfp227593.pdf
Evaluation of DFID Country Programmes. Country study: Nepal (2007)
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/aboutdfid/performance/files/ev679.pdf
Kiff, E. (2005) Farmer Field Schools and Land Development and Support of Farm Livelihoods. Karnataka
Watershed Development Briefing Notes, KAWAD Society, 250, 1 st Main, Defence colony,
Indiranagar, Bangalore, India.
Kiff, E. Ed. (2005) Land development and Farm livelihoods; activities and findings from KAWAD, Karnataka
Watershed Development Report 28, KAWAD Society, 250, 1 st Main, Defence colony,
Indiranagar, Bangalore, India.
Kharel, R., Amatya, S. M., Kiff, E. and Regmi B. N. Eds.(2001). Proceeding of the National Workshop on
Improved Strategies for identifying and addressing fodder deficits in the mid-hills of Nepal.
September 5-6th 2000, Kathmandu, Nepal. Department of Forest Research and Survey, Babar
Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Kiff, E., Hendy, C. R. C., Amatya, S. M., Vickers, B., Chhetri, R., Kharel, R. and Basukala, R. (2000). Approaches
to understanding livestock feed requirements and identifying ways to improve fodder supply
involving farmer and community initiatives. In : Proceeding of the National Workshop on
Improved Strategies for identifying and addressing fodder deficits in the mid-hills of Nepal.
September 5-6th 2000, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Kiff, E., O’Connell, N., Binney, K., Jackson, J., Awiti, S., Chan, M-K and Nelson, D. 2000. Extension manual.
Improved Vegetable Production in the Forest-Savannah transition zone, Ghana: with special
reference to the maintenance of soil fertility. Natural Resources Institute, Chatham, UK.
Kiff, E., Thorne, P.J., Pandit, B. H., Thomas, D. and Amatya, S.M. (1999) Livestock production systems and the
development of fodder resources for the Mid-hills of Nepal. Joint publication of the Natural
Resources Institute, Department of Forest Research and Survey, Nepal and Nepal Agroforestry
Foundation. Review, Chatham, UK: Natural Resources Institute.
Springate Baginski, O., Sousson, J. G., Dev,O.P., Yadav, N. P. and Kiff, E. (1998) Community Forestry in Nepal:
A first assessment of sustainability and impacts on common and private property resource
management. Working paper 1, Environment Centre, University of Leeds, Leeds.
Kiff, E. (1998) Common Property issues, tenure and access rights in relation to land use management at the
forest/agriculture interface, Research Advance No 3, NRSP, SYMO, Department for International
Development..
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Elizabeth Kiff / 6
Shepherd, G., Kiff, E. and Robertson, D. (1996) Importance of common property issues, tenure and access rights in
relation to land use management and planning at the forest/agriculture interface. Review and
annotated bibliography, Chatham, UK: Natural Resources Institute.
Kiff, E. and Pound, B. (1996) Covercrops: a manual for field workers. Chatham, UK: Natural Resources Institute.
Kiff, E., Turton, C., Tuladhar, J.K. and Baker R. (1995) A review of literature relating to soil fertility in the hills of
Nepal. Joint NRI-LARC publication, Chatham, UK: Natural Resources Institute.
Amatya, S. M. and Kiff, E (1994) Client participation in forest research: An introduction to the issues and
preliminary guidelines for organisational linkages and joint trials. FORESC Occasional Paper
No. 2/94, Kathmandu, Nepal: Forest Research and Survey Centre.
Kiff, E and Amatya, S.M. (1994) Early growth and production figures for Leucaena leucocephala grown on terrace
risers. Banko Janakari, 4 (2), Kathmandu, Nepal: Forestry Research and Survey Centre.
Kadayat, K.B., Kiff, E., Joshi, K.D. and Sthapit, B.R. (1991) Extension implications of farmer participatory
research. LARC Seminar Paper No. 10/91, Pokhara , Nepal.
Kiff, E. ed. (1991) Proceedings of the first Nepal National Extension -Research Seminar held at Lumle Regional
Agricultural Research Centre, December 1990, Pokhara, Nepal.
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